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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






2. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






3. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






4. The structure of a piece of music.






5. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






6. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






7. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






8. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






9. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






10. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






11. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






12. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






13. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






14. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






15. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






16. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






17. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






18. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






19. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






20. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






21. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






22. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






23. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






24. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






25. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






26. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






27. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






28. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






29. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






30. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






31. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






32. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






33. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






34. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






35. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






36. Suite of Baroque dances.






37. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






38. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






39. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






40. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






41. The structure of a piece of music.






42. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






43. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






44. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






45. A short light musical drama.






46. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






47. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






48. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






49. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






50. To shift to another key.